In the Driver’s Seat

In the Driver’s Seat

Driver education courses are important when preparing to operate a motor vehicle. Being fully educated in vehicle and road safety before operating a vehicle is necessary to prevent motor vehicle wrecks. “Completing a driver’s education course prior to obtaining one’s license will help teenagers develop rudimentary vehicle control and traffic maneuvers. It teaches students how to safely operate a vehicle on busy interstates at night, and during other dangerous driving circumstances” (James & Swanson).

“Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for U.S. teens. In 2018, almost 2,500 teens in the United States aged 13-19 were killed, and about 285,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes. Factors that put teens at risk are inexperience, nighttime and weekend driving, not using seat belts, distracted driving, speeding, and alcohol/drug use” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Unfortunately, I myself have been in situations where I thought it was cool not to wear my seat belt. In fact, recently I got into a car accident and thankfully I had my seat belt on. I was out of town with a friend and had received a text message from my mother earlier that day saying, “Wear your seat belt.” I am so glad I listened. We were hit from behind, by a truck not paying attention to stopped traffic on the Interstate. The wreck resulted in both of us having to go to the hospital to be examined. My friend was driving and he had a bad eye injury from hitting the steering wheel, and I myself had a mild case of whiplash. I am not sure what the person that hit us was doing not to see stopped traffic, but obviously it was a distraction of some sort.

Another incident that occurred happened without me being in the vehicle. I had a friend who took some drugs and then said he was okay to drive. I begged him not to, but he insisted. Of course, he got into

a car accident, almost hitting someone head on. He swerved into oncoming traffic and hit the front side of the other car. Here again, luckily no one was injured, but the accident was so bad that it totaled his car. I have learned through research that teens driving with teen passengers, newly licensed teens, and males are more likely to be involved in a car accident.

I believe that to be a better driver, I need to wear my seat belt and put down my phone. I should concentrate on the road and my surroundings when driving, and put into action the skills I learned in my driver education course. If I am to get into a car with someone that is not being a responsible driver, then I should speak up and advise them of what they aree doing wrong. If they continue to drive inappropriately, I should ask them to stop and let me out and call a responsible party to pick me up.